Radiator and electronic device having the same

ABSTRACT

A radiator includes: a tube through which a coolant flows; and a single tank including: a supplying chamber communicating with an end of the tube, for supplying the tube with the coolant; and a collecting chamber communicating with the other end of the tube, partitioned to the supplying chamber, and for collecting the coolant discharged from the tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of theprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-108468, filed on May 10,2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed herein are related to a radiator and anelectronic device having the same.

BACKGROUND

There is known a radiator through which a coolant flows. The radiatorincludes two tanks and plural tubes connecting the tanks with eachother. A technology relating to the radiator is disclosed in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-192441.

The plural tubes are arranged to be aligned. In light of the heatradiation efficiency, it is preferable to provide such plural tubes.This is because the ensuring of the whole length of the tubes improvesthe heat radiation efficiency. However, the provision of plural tubesincreases the size of the radiator in such a direction as to align thetubes.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the embodiments, a radiator includes: a tubethrough which a coolant flows; and a single tank including: a supplyingchamber communicating with an end of the tube, for supplying the tubewith the coolant; and a collecting chamber communicating with the otherend of the tube, partitioned to the supplying chamber, and forcollecting the coolant discharged from the tube.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory views of a radiator according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the radiator according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the radiator according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the radiator according to a fourthembodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the radiator according to a fifthembodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the radiator according to a sixthembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a tank; and

FIG. 9A is a sectional view of line A-A of FIG. 8, FIG. 9B is asectional view of line B-B of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9C is a sectional view ofline C-C of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device. For example, theelectronic device 1 is an information processor such as a server, adesktop computer, or a notebook computer. The electronic device 1includes a cooling system for cooling a heating part 6. For example, theheating part 6 is an electronic part such as a CPU, and develops heat inresponse to the power supplied. The cooling system includes a coolingjacket 2, a pump 3, a radiator 4, and a fan 5. The coolant circulatesthrough this cooling system. The cooling jacket 2 is arranged to contactthe heating part 6, and receives the heat therefrom to transmit the heatto the coolant. The pump 3 circulates the coolant. The radiator 4receives the heat of the coolant to release the heat to air. The fan 5sends air to the radiator 4. Units are connected to each other via ametallic pipe or a flexible hose. For example, antifreeze liquid such aspropylene glycol is used as the coolant. However, the coolant is notlimited to this.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory views of the radiator 4 according to afirst embodiment. The radiator 4 includes a tank 40 and a tube 50. Thetank 40 and the tube 50 are each made of metal such as aluminum. Thewhole tube 50 has a loop shape. The coolant flows through the inside ofthe tube 50. The tube 50 has a flat shape.

The tube 50 includes first and second path portions 51 and 52 eachextending in a given direction. The first and second path portions 51and 52 correspond to a first extending portion. Third and fourth pathportions 53 and 54 correspond to a second extending portion facing thefirst and second path portions. The first and second path portions 51and 52 are substantially parallel to the third and fourth path portions53 and 54. The first path portion 51 is continuous to the third pathportion 53. The third path portion 53 is continuous to the fourth pathportion 54. The fourth path portion 54 is continuous to the second pathportion 52. Plural fins 59 are provided between the first and third pathportions 51 and 53, and between the second and fourth path portions 52and 54. Additionally, the fins 59 are omitted in FIG. 2A.

The tank 40 is provided between the first and second path portions 51and 52, in other words, at a partway of the first extending portion.Specifically, the tank 40 is provided at a substantial center of thefirst extending portion. However, the tank 40 may be provided at apartway as far as it is not provided at the center of the firstextending portion. The first and second path portions 51 and 52 extendfrom the tank 40 in the opposite directions. The tank 40 includes aninlet nozzle 41, a supplying chamber 42, an outlet nozzle 43, and acollecting chamber 44. The inlet and outlet nozzles 41 and 43 arerespectively attached with hoses to transport the coolant. The supplyingchamber 42 and the collecting chamber 44 are separated to each other.The supplying chamber 42 and the collecting chamber 44 are aligned in adirection from the first path portion 51 to the second path portion 52.The supplying chamber 42 and the collecting chamber 44 are arranged inthe right and left sides. The supplying chamber 42 supplies the firstpath portion 51 with the coolant. The collecting chamber 44 collects thecoolant discharged from the second path portion 52. The first and secondpath portions 51 and 52 respectively communicate to the supplyingchamber 42 and the collecting chamber 44.

The coolant flows through the inlet nozzle 41, the supplying chamber 42,the first path portion 51, the third path portion 53, the fourth pathportion 54, the second path portion 52, the collecting chamber 44, andthe outlet nozzle 43, in this order. Additionally, the fan 5 includes afan for sending air to a clearance between the first and third pathportions 51 and 53, and another fan for sending air to a clearancebetween the second and fourth path portions 52 and 54.

As described above, the tank 40 is provided at a partway of the tube 50.In the tube 50, the first and third path portions 51 and 53 extendfacing each other, and the second and fourth path portions 52 and 54extend facing each other. This can reduce the height of the radiator 4,while ensuring the whole length of the tube 50. The ensuring of thewhole length of the tube 50 can also ensure the heat radiationefficiency.

Further, the radiator 4 is equipped with the single tank 40, therebyreducing the number of the parts. Furthermore, the tank 40 is providedat a partway of the tube 50, whereby the tank 40 is positionally set inlight of a layout of another part. This improves the design freedom ofthe position of the tank 40.

[Second Embodiment]

A radiator 4A according to a second embodiment will be described.Additionally, the components similar to those of the radiator 4according to the first embodiment are designated by the same referencenumerals, and a duplicate description will be omitted. FIG. 3 is anexplanatory view of the radiator 4A according to the second embodiment.

A tank 40 a is provided at a partway of a loop-shaped tube 50 a. Thetank 40 a is provided between first and second path portions 51 a and 52a corresponding to a first extending portion, and between a third andfourth path portions 53 a and 54 a corresponding to a second extendingportion. The tank 40 a includes a supplying chamber 42 a and acollecting chamber 44 a. The supplying chamber 42 a and the collectingchamber 44 a are aligned in a direction from the first extending portionto the second extending portion. The supplying chamber 42 a and thecollecting chamber 44 a are arranged in the up and down direction. Thefirst and second path portions 51 a and 52 a communicate to thesupplying chamber 42 a. The first and second path portions 51 a and 52 aextend in the opposite directions from the supplying chamber 42 a.

The third and fourth path portion 53 a and 54 a communicate to thecollecting chamber 44 a. The third and fourth path portions 53 a and 54a extend in the opposite directions from the collecting chamber 44 a.

The coolant flows through the inlet nozzle 41 and the supplying chamber42 a in this order. The coolant flows from the supplying chamber 42 ainto both of the first and second path portions 51 and 52. Then, thecoolant flows from both of the third and fourth path portions 53 a and54 a into the collecting chamber 44 a. Thus, the coolant flows throughboth of the first and third path portions 51 a and 53 a side and thesecond and fourth path portions 52 a and 54 a side at the same time. Thefan 5 includes: a fan sending air to a clearance between the first andthird path portions 51 a and 53 a; and another fan sending air to aclearance between the second and fourth path portions 52 a and 54 a.

In the first embodiment, the coolant flows through the first pathportion 51, the third path portion 53, the fourth path portion 54, andthe second path portion 52 in this order. In this case, the coolantsufficiently radiates heat in the first and third path portions 51 and53 to decrease a temperature difference between the coolant and the airsupplied from the fan to the clearance between the second and fourthpath portions 52 and 54. This deteriorates the efficiency of the heatradiation into the air. However, in the second embodiment, the coolantflows through both of the first and third path portions 51 a and 53 aside and the second and fourth path portions 52 a and 54 a side at thesame time. This ensures a sufficient temperature difference between thecoolant and the air supplied from the fan to the clearance between thesecond and fourth path portions 52 a and 54 a, thereby effectivelyradiating heat.

Further, the tube 50 a extends not to protrude from the thickness of itstank 40 a in the height direction. This reduces the height of theradiator 4A.

[Third Embodiment]

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a radiator 4B according to a thirdembodiment. The tank 40 b includes a supplying chamber 42 b, acollecting chamber 44 b, and a retaining chamber 46 b separated from oneanother. The supplying chamber 42 b and the collecting chamber 44 b arealigned in a direction from a first path portion 5 lb to a second pathportion 52 b. The retaining chamber 46 b is arranged vertically on thesupplying chamber 42 b and the collecting chamber 44 b. The retainingchamber 46 b is bigger than each of the supplying chamber 42 b and thecollecting chamber 44 b. The third and fourth path portions 53 b and 54b communicate to the retaining chamber 46 b. The coolant flows throughthe supplying chamber 42 b, the first path portion 51 b, the third pathportion 53 b, the retaining chamber 46 b, the fourth path portion 54 b,the second path portion 52 b, and the collecting chamber 44 b, in thisorder.

The coolant is retained in the retaining chamber 46 b. The provision ofthe retaining chamber 46 b ensures an amount of the coolant as much asthat retained in the retaining chamber 46 b. Thus, it is adaptable to,for example, a case where the coolant is leaked and then its amount isreduced, or a case where the coolant expands or shrinks due to a changein its temperature. Also, the retaining chamber 46 b can collect airbubbles. This prevents the air bubbles from flowing into the pump 3.Additionally, the connection point of the retaining chamber 46 b and thefourth path portion 54 b is positioned below the upper wall partiallydefining the retaining chamber 46 b. The is to prevent the air bubblescollected in the retaining chamber 46 b from flowing into the pathportion 54 b.

[Fourth Embodiment]

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a radiator 4C according to a fourthembodiment. The radiator 4C includes a tank 40 c, and tubes 50 c and 60c. Each of the tubes 50 c and 60 c has a loop shape. The tank 40 c isprovided at partways of the tubes 50 c and 60 c. The tube 60 c includesfirst and second path portions 61 c and 62 c corresponding to a firstextending portion, and third and fourth path portions 63 c and 64 ccorresponding to a second extending portion. The first path portions 51c and 61 c face each other. The second path portions 52 c and 62 c faceeach other. Additionally, the tube 50 c is similar to the tube 50 baccording to the third embodiment, and a description of the tube 50 c isomitted.

The tank 40 c includes a supplying chamber 42 c, a collecting chamber 44c, and retaining chambers 46 c and 47 c, which are separated from oneanother. The retaining chamber 47 c is provided under the supplyingchamber 42 c and the collecting chamber 44 c. The first path portions 51c and 61 c communicate to the supplying chamber 42 c. The second pathportions 52 c and 62 c communicate to the collecting chamber 44 c. Thethird and fourth path portions 63 c and 64 c communicate to theretaining chamber 47 c. The coolant flows through the inlet nozzle 41and the supplying chamber 42 c, and flows therefrom into both of firstpath portions 51 c and 61 c. The coolant that has flowed through thefirst path portion 61 c flows through the third path portion 63 c, theretaining chamber 47 c, the fourth path portion 64 c, the second pathportion 62 c, the collecting chamber 44 c, and the outlet nozzle 43, inthis order. The coolant flows from both of second path portions 52 c and62 c into the collecting chamber 44 c.

As described above, the radiator 4C includes two tubes 50 c and 60 c.This can ensure the whole length of each of the tubes 50 c and 60 c andreduce the height of the radiator 4C. Further, the tank 40C is providedwith the retaining chamber 47 c through which the coolant flowingthrough the tube 60 flows, and is also provided with the retainingchamber 46 c through which the coolant flowing through the tube 50 c.Therefore, the flow rate of the coolant flowing through the tube 50 c issubstantially identical to that of the coolant flowing through the tube60 c. Further, there is no fin between the tubes 50 c and 60 c. However,a fin may be provided therebetween.

[Fifth Embodiment]

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a radiator 4D according to a fifthembodiment. A tank 40 c is provided at partways of tubes 50 d and 60 d.Specifically, the tank 40 c is provided at a position slightly displacedfrom the centers of the tubes 50 d and 60 d. In this way, inconsideration of a layout with another unit except the radiator 4D, thetank 40 c can be set at such a position to easily attach the hoses tothe inlet and outlet nozzles 41 and 43.

[Sixth Embodiment]

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a radiator 4E according to a sixthembodiment. FIG. 8 is front view of a tank 40 e. FIG. 9A is a sectionalview of line A-A of FIG. 8. FIG. 9B is a sectional view of line B-B ofFIG. 8. FIG. 9C is a sectional view of line C-C of FIG. 8. First pathportions 51 e and 61 e and second path portions 52 e and 62 ecommunicate to a supplying chamber 42 e. Third and fourth path portions53 e and 54 e communicate to a retaining chamber 46 e. Third and fourthpath portions 63 e and 64 e communicate to a retaining chamber 47 e. Theretaining chambers 46 e and 47 e communicate to a collecting chamber 44e.

The tank 40 e will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 9B,the supplying chamber 42 e and the collecting chamber 44 e are separatedby a partition wall 45 e. The supplying chamber 42 e is bigger than thecollecting chamber 44 e. The coolant flows from the inlet nozzle 41through the supplying chamber 42 e, and flows therefrom through thefirst path portions 51 e and 61 e and the second path portions 52 e and62 e. The coolant, which has flowed through the first path portion 51 e,flows into the third path portion 53 e. The coolant, which has flowedthrough the second path portion 52 e, flows into the fourth path portion54 e. The coolant flows from the third and fourth path portions 53 e and54 e into the retaining chamber 46 e.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, an opening 46 e 3 is formed in a partitionwall 46 e 1 partitioning the retaining chamber 46 e and the supplyingchamber 42 e. The opening 46 e 3 communicates to the collecting chamber44 e. That is, the retaining chamber 46 e and the collecting chamber 44e communicate to each other. Therefore, the coolant, which has flowedfrom the third and fourth path portions 53 e and 54 e through theretaining chamber 46 e, flows into the collecting chamber 44 e.

Further, the coolant, which has flowed through the first path portion 61e, flows into the third path portion 63 e. The coolant, which has flowedthrough the second path portion 62 e, flows into the fourth path portion64 e. The coolant flows from the third and fourth path portions 63 e and64 e into the retaining chamber 47 e.

As illustrated in FIG. 9C, an opening 47 e 3 is formed in a partitionwall 47 e 1 partitioning the retaining chamber 47 e and the supplyingchamber 42 e. The opening 47 e 3 communicates to the collecting chamber44 e. That is, the retaining chamber 47 e and the collecting chamber 44e communicate to each other. Therefore, the coolant, which flowed fromthe third and fourth path portion 63 e and 64 e into the retainingchamber 47 e, flows into the collecting chamber 44 e.

As described above, the tank 40 e includes two retaining chambers 46 eand 47 e, thereby ensuring the quantity of the coolant, while collectingair bubbles. Also, the coolant flows from the supplying chamber 42 e tothe first path portions 51 e and 61 e arranged in left side and to thesecond path portions 52 e and 62 e arranged in right side at the sametime. This prevents the deterioration of the heat radiation efficiencyof the coolant flowing through any one of the sides.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the fourth path portion 54 e isformed with a curved portion 54 e 1 at the connection portion betweenthe fourth path portion 54 e and the tank 40 e. The curved portion 54 e1 downwardly inclines in the direction to which the coolant flows. Thisprevents the coolant from flowing back from the retaining chamber 46 einto the fourth path portion 54 e. Further, this prevents the airbubbles collected in the retaining chamber 46 e from flowing into thefourth path portion 54 e. Likewise, the third path portions 53 e and 63e are formed with curved portions 53 e 1 and 63 e 1 at the connectionpoints between the third path portion 53 e and the tank 40 e and betweenthe third path portion 63 e and the tank 40 e, respectively. Also, thefourth path portion 64 e is formed with a curved portion.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, andare to be constructed as being without limitation to such specificallyrecited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of suchexamples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority andinferiority of the invention. Although the embodiment of the presentinventions has been described in detail, it should be understood thatthe various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made heretowithout departing from the sprit and scope of the invention.

1. A radiator comprising: a tube through which a coolant flows; and asingle tank comprising: a supplying chamber communicating with an end ofthe tube, for supplying the tube with the coolant; and a collectingchamber communicating with the other end of the tube, partitioned to thesupplying chamber, and for collecting the coolant discharged from thetube.
 2. The radiator of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises: first andsecond path portions extending from the tank in opposite directions; athird path portion continuous to the first path portion and facing thefirst path portion; and a fourth path portion continuous to the secondpath portion and facing the second path portion.
 3. The radiator ofclaim 2, wherein the tank is provided between the first and second pathportions, and the supplying chamber and the collecting chamber arealigned in such a direction that the first and second path portionsextend.
 4. The radiator of claim 2, wherein the supplying chamber isprovided between the first and second path portions, and the collectingchamber is provided between the third and fourth path portions.
 5. Theradiator of claim 2, wherein the tank comprises a retaining chamberprovided between the third and fourth path portions.
 6. The radiator ofclaim 5, wherein the retaining chamber communicates to the collectingchamber.
 7. The radiator of claim 5, wherein the retaining chamber isprovided vertically on the supplying chamber and the collecting chamber.8. The radiator of claim 2, wherein the first path portion communicatesto the supplying chamber, the second path portion communicates to thecollecting chamber, and the third and fourth path portions arecontinuous to each other.
 9. The radiator of claim 2, wherein the firstand second path portions communicate to the supplying chamber, and thethird and fourth path portions communicate to the collecting chamber.10. The radiator of claim 5, wherein the first path portion communicatesto the supplying chamber, the second path portion communicates to thecollecting chamber, and the third and fourth path portions communicateto the retaining chamber.
 11. The radiator of claim 6, wherein the firstand second path portions communicate to the supplying chamber, the thirdand fourth path portions communicate to the retaining chamber, and theretaining chamber communicates to the collecting chamber.
 12. Anelectronic device comprising a radiator, the radiator comprising: a tubethrough which a coolant flows; and a single tank comprising: a supplyingchamber communicating with an end of the tube, for supplying the tubewith the coolant; and a collecting chamber communicating with the otherend of the tube, partitioned to the supplying chamber, and forcollecting the coolant discharged from the tube.